Author: mike

Animal Daydream at Magnet

Swedish duo Animal Daydream has been compared to Fleet Foxes (there has to be an animal joke in there somewhere), but actually has quite an original sound. The twosome readies for the release of debut its seven-inch via the Jigsaw label and offers “Canyon Rose” for free download. The track explodes with beautiful melodies from the start and… Continue reading Animal Daydream at Magnet

Animal Daydream at When You Motor Away

Maybe there should be a rule prohibiting bands from teasing us with four great tracks and then leaving us with nothing except the replay button.  But that is what Swedish duo Animal Daydream has done with their Easy Pleasures EP.  From the opening “Canyon Rose”, with its reminders of the golden years of Teenage Fanclub… Continue reading Animal Daydream at When You Motor Away

Mind Brains at The Vinyl District

Based in Athens, GA and featuring membership drawn from over a half dozen prior units of shared geography and stylistic traits,Mind Brains combine psychedelia, low-tech electronics, a healthy experimental streak, and a moody approach to songwriting. This intriguing concoction shapes their self-titled first album, which is out on January 20th via hometown label Orange Twin. Much… Continue reading Mind Brains at The Vinyl District

Animal Daydream at Collective Zine

The proclamation that this is “SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!” in the subject line of the email that this came in on would normally make me pretty sceptical about the content but I’ve enjoyed the last few things the PR folk had sent in here as they gave me the opportunity to hurtle into a whirlwind of heady… Continue reading Animal Daydream at Collective Zine

Joanna Gruesome/Trust Fund at Maximum Rock and Roll

This split with Wales Joanna Gruesome and UK band Trust Fund offers up some dreamy pop. What I love about Joanna Gruesome is how contained and sweet and melodic they can be, while utterly ripping at times. I mean it’s a hard line to walk, but they do it damn well. Their songs are not… Continue reading Joanna Gruesome/Trust Fund at Maximum Rock and Roll

Crayon at Maximum Rock n Roll

Twenty years after it’s original release HHBTM has reissued this album on vinyl for the first time. If you’ve heard of this band, you probably love them. But for the uninitiated out there, ask yourself this: do you cringe at the word “twee”? No? Okay, please continue reading. This is the album of your dreams… Continue reading Crayon at Maximum Rock n Roll

Throwing Muses at Get It On Vinyl

I was not thrilled to have a Throwing Muses album passed my way to review. At best Throwing Muses was a lingering memory for me, and at worst, I might have had them confused with another band altogether. I wasn’t a Throwing Muses fan when they were in their peak. It’s not that I didn’t… Continue reading Throwing Muses at Get It On Vinyl

The Primitives at Avoiding Silence

A good general rule for a band attempting to make an album after re-forming would be to do no harm. Don’t sully the past by making an uninspired update of your classic sound, don’t try to be modern and come off sounding desperate…don’t suck, basically. The Primitives already passed this test with flying colors thanks… Continue reading The Primitives at Avoiding Silence

Muuy Biien and Eureka California at Flagpole

2014 was the year Eureka California made the shift from “the band that could” to “the band that did.” With little fanfare and almost zero downtown club presence, the group quietly released a true kicker of an LP, toured the UK and steadily increased its stateside audience without jockeying for the ever-shifting hometown spotlight. The… Continue reading Muuy Biien and Eureka California at Flagpole